This guide covers everything you need to know about getting married at San Francisco City Hall - from paperwork to ceremony timing and photo locations.
Before your ceremony, you’ll need to apply for a marriage license at the County Clerk’s office. Simple step, but an important one.
- Location: The County Clerk’s office is located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 168. It is open weekdays, typically from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Who Can Apply: Both parties must be present. You do not need to be a California resident to get married here.
- Required Documents: Bring a valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport). No blood test is required. The license is valid immediately and expires after 90 days.
Step 1 - Get Your Marriage License:
City Hall offers several civil ceremony time slots throughout the day. Choose the one that best fits your vision:
- Early Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Ideal if you are looking for peace and tranquility. The building is much quieter, offering more privacy and fewer crowds in the background of your photos.
- Midday (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Perfect if you love a bit of a buzz. This is the busiest time, adding an exciting, lively wedding ambiance to the beautiful space.
- Late Afternoon (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM): Late afternoon sunlight hits the historic windows beautifully, creating gorgeous, soft light for cinematic shots.
"Grand stairs"
Step2-Book Your Ceremony Time Slot
- Official Website: https://sfcityhallevents.org/ - Information regarding building hours and private rentals.
- Civil Ceremonies: Make a Reservation on SF.gov - Book your in-person ceremony (up to 6 guests).
- Location: at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102. The County Clerk’s Office (Room 160) is conveniently located on the First Floor.
- Parking Tip: For stress-free parking, I highly recommend the underground Civic Center Garage located right beneath Civic Center Plaza at 355 McAllister Street, directly across from City Hall.
Step 3 - Where to Go & How Booking Works
To ensure a smooth, stress-free experience, make sure you have everything ready before your big day:
💡 Witness Tip: Your photographer is always happy to legally sign as your official witness! Just let him know in advance. :)
- Your partner (the most important part)
- Wedding rings
- Valid government-issued photo IDs
- Your San Francisco marriage license
- At least one witness
💡 Witness Tip: Your photographer is always happy to legally sign as your official witness! Just let him know in advance. :)
"1st floor"
Step 4 - Gather Your Wedding Essentials
After all the planning and preparation, take a deep breath and simply enjoy the moment. The grand architecture, elegant interiors, and beautiful natural light create timeless images you'll cherish for a lifetime.
Afterward, we will step outside to capture stunning portraits with the exterior monumental columns, Civic Center Plaza, and the fountain.
- The Grand Staircase (The ultimate iconic shot)
- The Rotunda (Where classic civil ceremonies take place)
- The Mayor’s Balcony (Elegant, historic architectural backdrops)
- The 4th Floor Gallery (Flooded with incredible natural light)
Afterward, we will step outside to capture stunning portraits with the exterior monumental columns, Civic Center Plaza, and the fountain.
"4th Floor Gallery view"
Step 5 - After the Ceremony: The Best Photo Locations
Frequently Asked Questions :
-
Q:How many photos will I receive?
A: You will receive approximately 30–60 edited photos per hour, depending on the flow of the day.
- Q: How long does it take to receive the final gallery?
A: Your fully edited photo gallery is delivered within 1 week. Wedding films take a bit longer due to detailed editing and sound design.
- Q: How do I book a ceremony at City Hall?
A: Civil ceremony reservations are made directly through SF.gov. Marriage licenses are issued at the County Clerk’s office inside City Hall.
- Q: Can one person shoot both photo and video?
A: I recommend working with separate photo and video shooters for the best results. This ensures both storytelling and photography are captured properly without compromise.
- Q: What is the best time of day for a City Hall wedding?A: Morning is quiet with soft light, midday is more busy and energetic, and afternoon gives warmer light and softer tones for portraits.
- Q: Do we need a witness or officiant?A: For civil ceremonies, a deputy marriage commissioner is included. If you’re planning a private elopement for just the two of you, I can also act as your witness if needed (please let me know in advance).
- Q: Do we need to be California residents to get married at SF City Hall?A: No. You do not need to be a California resident. Couples from anywhere in the world are welcome.
- Q:How do I book a photographer?
A:You can contact me through the form on this website to check availability. Once your date is confirmed, I’ll guide you through the next steps.
Hi, I’m Gleb Shabashnyi,
I’m a San Francisco-based photographer specializing in City Hall weddings.
I’ve photographed many ceremonies here and understand how to work with the light, timing, and flow of the building.
Everything you see on this page comes from real City Hall weddings I’ve photographed.
I’m a San Francisco-based photographer specializing in City Hall weddings.
I’ve photographed many ceremonies here and understand how to work with the light, timing, and flow of the building.
Everything you see on this page comes from real City Hall weddings I’ve photographed.
Notes From a Photographer
My ultimate goal is to capture the authentic, emotional essence of your special day.
I will focus on natural, documentary-style storytelling that feels effortless and real.
As San Francisco local, I know every corner, every staircase, and every pocket of natural light, helping you create timeless images in one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
I will focus on natural, documentary-style storytelling that feels effortless and real.
As San Francisco local, I know every corner, every staircase, and every pocket of natural light, helping you create timeless images in one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
"the Grand Staircase"
How the Photography Experience Works
Client Reviews
Real feedback from couples who got married at San Francisco City Hall. More than 35 five-star reviews.
Google 5.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Google 5.0 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Kerry V⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THEE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER I HAVE WORKED WITH! Gleb was the absolute best to work with, his energy is infectious and my guests kept saying “wow he’s good”. He photographed my wedding for 200-250 guests and went above and beyond what I wanted. He gives clear directions and does anything it takes to get the perfect shot. You can tell he absolutely loves what he does! His quality of work is top-tier premium, especially for the price! His pricing for what he does is unheard of especially in San Francisco. He arrives always very punctual in preparation to get the most of the allotted time and he KNOWS lighting so well that every photo looks so good without editing. What I am most shocked about is how fast he sends the hundreds of photos to me! He takes so many and they all look great! All my guest were so surprised that I was able to send them the photos that fast! I feel I found a hidden gem in the wedding industry and will recommend him to several people in the Bay Area. - Saloni Shah⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with Gleb twice - for our wedding photoshoot at San Francisco City Hall in October 2023 and again for our maternity session in January 2026. We truly cannot recommend him enough! Not only is he incredibly talented, but he also makes the entire experience so much fun and completely stress-free. From the moment the shoot starts, his energy, warmth, and professionalism put you at ease, which makes such a difference in front of the camera. Hlib has an exceptional eye for lighting, poses, and scenery. He knows exactly how to use the surroundings to create images that feel natural, elegant, and timeless. Every shot looks thoughtfully composed, yet the process feels effortless and relaxed. Most importantly, he captures real emotion and genuine moments — the photos don’t just look beautiful, they feel meaningful. Both our wedding and maternity galleries are something we’ll treasure forever. If you’re looking for someone who is creative, detail-oriented, and an absolute joy to work with, Hlib is the photographer you want. We’re so grateful to have had him document such special milestones in our lives!
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Family and group - Felix A. Ceseña⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We had an incredible experience with our wedding photographer. He was punctual, organized, and very creative. The photos are stunning and truly capture the emotion and beauty of our day. We are so grateful for his work and highly recommend him to anyone looking for exceptional quality and professionalism. Thank you, Sfilm!
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